Govt to do everything for development of football: PM

Describing football as the most popular sort of games in the county, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday said the government will provide all-out support to develop it through providing proper training for the local booters.

"The government will do whatever is necessary to develop this game and impart training to footballers… I can promise," she said while distributing the prizes among the winners of Bangabandhu Gold Cup at Bangabandhu National Stadium.

The Prime Minister said football is being played everywhere across Bangladesh. "So, we want this game to flourish further in the country."

She said Bangladesh’s women footballers have already brought glory for the country by clinching the SAFF Under-18 Women Championship. "I hope, the boys won’t lag behind… they’ll do better and go further in the coming days."

Sheikh Hasina said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was always fond of football and cordial about games. "My grandfather, father and brothers played football and my grandchildren also play football. My entire family is a football-playing one, you can say that," she added.

Later, the Prime Minister distributed prizes among the winners.

In the final, Palestine beat Tajikistan by 4-3 goals in the tiebreaker to become unbeaten champions.